News Archive

Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is Oct. 27, 2018

On Sat., Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., local law enforcement and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will provide an opportunity to properly dispose of unneeded and/or expired prescription medications.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible way of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications. Many people are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are increasing, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.

As of mid-Oct., drop-off sites have been confirmed at the following locations:

The service is free and anonymous. Law enforcement officers will be present with the drug disposal boxes at all times. At the conclusion of the event, the boxes will be sealed and turned over to the DEA for proper disposal.

Many kinds of prescription and over-the-counter medications may be brought to this event for disposal, including medications for your pets. However the following items will NOT be accepted: liquids, intravenous solutions, injectables/needles, syringes, mercury (thermometers), oxygen containers, chemotherapy/radioactive substances, pressurized canisters, and illicit drugs.

Check the
DEA website for additional information and other local drop-off sites.

Information on environmentally sound disposal methods that minimize opportunities for misuse and protect the environment will be available at the Fort Collins collection site. Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash could cause pollution of lakes, streams, and water supplies and pose potential safety and health hazards.

Fort Collins Police Services also has a year-round drug take-back program with a secure bin for the collection of prescription/over-the-counter drugs. Residents may drop off unneeded or expired over-the-counter and prescription medications in the Fort Collins Police Services lobby, 2221 S. Timberline Road, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The same restrictions on eligible/ineligible items apply (see above). For additional information contact Fort Collins Police Services at 970-419-3273.